Congress may get India atomic deal soon: U.S. official

By Krittivas Mukherjee

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A controversial nuclear energy deal between India and the United States could be put before the U.S. Congress for ratification in the "next few days", the U.S. ambassador to India said on Tuesday.

The odds of the U.S. Congress passing the civilian deal this year are still long, U.S. congressional aides and analysts say, but the deal is likely to win approval eventually.

The Congressional nod is the last hurdle for the pact, known as the 123 agreement, to take effect after it won key approval from the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) at the weekend.

"We now are in the final phase where the 123 Agreement must be presented to the United States Congress," U.S. Ambassador David C. Mulford told reporters.

"That process is ongoing at the moment, and we hope to get the legislation before the Congress in the next few days, and then we hope for action by the Congress."

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits the United States later this month, a trip Mulford said could present an opportunity to sign the final deal if the U.S. Congress endorses it by then.

"I'm presuming if it's passed by the Congress it's an opportunity certainly to sign it," he said.

But there is still some distance to go. Before the deal can be sent to Congress for final approval, the Bush administration must certify to lawmakers that India has met certain conditions.